Jacksonville vs St. Petersburg: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)
Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Jacksonville, FL and St. Petersburg, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | St. Petersburg, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $41,397 | $45,825▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $19.90 | $22.03▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,529▲ | $35,023 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,259▲ | $39,014 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,582 | $51,768▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $52,286 | $68,391▲ |
| Total Employed | 540▲ | 42 |
Verdict
St. Petersburg, FL offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jacksonville.
The salary gap between Jacksonville and St. Petersburg is $4,428 (10.70%). St. Petersburg's median is -2.62% compared to the US national median of $47,058.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jacksonville spans $13,757,St. Petersburg spans $33,368. St. Petersburg has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Petersburg ($45,461 effective) pays 9.25% more than Jacksonville ($41,612 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Jacksonville if…
- ✓Larger job market (540 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle
Choose St. Petersburg if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($45,825/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($68,391)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,461)
- ✓You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Jacksonville grew 35.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 10.4% growth in St. Petersburg over the same period.
Jacksonville, FL
$28,980 (2021) → $39,120 (2025)
St. Petersburg, FL
$39,240 (2024) → $43,305 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Jacksonville, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Jacksonville or St. Petersburg?
What is the hourly rate difference between Jacksonville and St. Petersburg?
Should I relocate from Jacksonville to St. Petersburg as a emergency medical technician?
What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Jacksonville vs St. Petersburg?
Related Comparisons
Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov